SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Augustana volleyball team (9-14 overall, 6-8 NSIC) returns to the gym with a three game week. They open the week on Tuesday night at 6 p.m., welcoming Sioux Falls to the Elmen Center. They, then, hit the road for the weekend, first at Bemidji State on Friday at 6 p.m., before a 2 p.m., Saturday afternoon match at Minnesota Crookston. 

The Augustana community is invited to the Beer Garden — hosted by JJ's Wine, Spirits & Cigars — at the Elmen Center for Tuesday's game. Food, such as pulled pork nachos and corn dogs, will be available for purchase in the concession area next to the Beer Garden. 

Complete action can be followed on GoAugie.com/Live and the GoAugie app, presented by The Original Pancake House. The app can be downloaded in the App Store or Google Play.

The Cougars
Sioux Falls enters the weekend 11-12 overall and 7-7 in conference action following wins over UMary and Minot State last weekend. The team is one of the best at front line defense, ranking 36th in the country and fourth in the NSIC with 2.24 blocks per set. Sadie Voss leads the offense with 299 kills. Jordan Kuper holds down the net for USF, leading the way with 86 total blocks and 1.06 blocks per set. 

The Beavers
Bemidji State enters the weekend 8-14 overall and 5-9 in conference action following losses to Concordia-St. Paul and Minnesota State. The team is one of the best at the service line, ranking third in the NSIC with 1.77 aces per set. They also have the leader in the NSIC in service aces, as Ashley Crowl (0.50) ranks 56th in the country. She also leads the Beavers with 3.18 points per set. 

The Golden Eagles
Minnesota Crookston is 3-19 overall and 1-13 in NSIC play this season after falling in their last 10 matches. Kailee Waasdorp ranks eighth in the NSIC with 4.51 digs per set, and Madison Carsten leads the offense with 175 kills.

The Vikings
Augustana closes out a four-game home stretch before their final two road matches of the season. 

On the season, Kia Kriener leads the Vikings with 310 kills, while Reagan Jansen follows with 198 kills and 176 digs. She also leads the team with 34 aces. Erika Bute leads the team with 496 digs, including 5.77 digs per set.

Also excelling on the front line are Maya Wente (189 kills, 76 blocks) and Callie Hohenhaus (181 kills, 72 blocks).

Lucy Bartee has put together an all-around contribution, adding 900 assists, 193 digs, 48 kills, 33 blocks, and 25 aces. Kiylah Franke and Ellie Walker have each produced on the back line, as Franke has tallied 197 digs and 24 aces, while Walker has collected 122 digs and 20 aces. 

One Last Thing
Erika Bute ranks third amongst NCAA DII in active career digs with 2,174. That number ranks 12th among all NCAA levels. She also ranks sixth amongst active players with a 5.19 career digs per set. Her 5.77 digs per set this season ranks sixth in the country, while her 6.26 digs per set in NSIC play leads the conference.

Lucy Bartee ranks 22nd in the country with 10.47 assists per set. Her 10.88 assists per set in NSIC matches is fourth best in the conference. Kia Kriener has been a force in the NSIC this season, ranking second in the conference with 3.94 kills per set in NSIC matches. 

Looking Ahead
The Vikings conclude the regular season, hosting St. Cloud State on Friday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m., inside the Elmen Center